Carlton Cummins, co-Founder of battery waste start-up Aceleron, and former Shell LiveWIRE UK winner, has been named the Overall Winner of the global Shell LiveWIRE Top Ten Innovators competition, receiving $15,000 prize money.

Carlton, who earlier this year was named the Shell LiveWIRE Young Entrepreneur of the Year 2016, is pioneering low-cost energy storage from waste lithium batteries. Harnessing the untapped health of recycled lithium batteries, which is typically over 70%, his business, Aceleron, extends the use-phase for consumers. Once the original stored energy is used up, Aceleron repurpose the battery as storage for renewable energy which can be endlessly replaced - eliminating waste and the need for further resources to be invested in new products.

Chair of the judges, Mark Gainsborough said, “Carlton is a great role model who places innovation at the heart of his business, using it as a tool to support his mission for sustainable, affordable energy storage for all. Top Ten Innovators highlights and recognizes innovative entrepreneurs. We believe innovators deserve a world stage.”

Carlton impressed judges with the game-changing developments in energy storage technology Aceleron has achieved. The business is able to offer serviced lithium batteries at the same price as lead acid batteries. Using innovation to drive cost-cutting, it offers a once expensive service at a low-cost entry point, a revolutionary development for the sector.

Carlton commented, “I am humbled to be chosen as winner of this global innovation competition. Shell LiveWIRE has been an important supporter of Aceleron and this endorsement will further empower us to bring ‘energy-for-life’ to people around the world.”

Carlton will use the prize money to pilot an off-grid home solar energy system, using upcycled waste batteries, aimed at the Central American market. He beat off competition from 22 other Shell LiveWIRE winners in nine countries, including Nigeria, Pakistan and Brazil to claim the top prize.

Shortlisted businesses were judged by an international panel of business leaders, Chaired by Mark Gainsborough, Executive Vice President of New Energies at Shell. The panel included Maytha Al Habsi, Deputy CEO at Emirates Foundation; Esther Wang, previous winner and Founder of Joytingle; Lindalia Junqueira Reis, CEO at Ions Innovation Consulting; and, Gwen Abiola-Oloke, Investment Director of Western Africa at GroFin.

Entrepreneurs featured on the Top Ten were also given prize funding, $10,000 for runner-up place and $5,000 for merit place. The Top Ten winners list in full is:

Runner-up prize:

Revive Eco (UK)

She’Kab (Pakistan)

WonderTree (Pakistan)

Merit prize:

Emobella Engineering (Nigeria)

Ciclo Orgânico (Brazil)

Oriental Promises Trading Est. (Saudi Arabia)

ExtraGEO (Italy)

De-rahbs Energy Services (Nigeria)

Maria's Country Style (Trinidad and Tobago)

Top Ten Innovators is a worldwide competition open to the alumni of Shell LiveWIRE. Its objective is to reward exceptional examples of innovation within businesses supported by the programme and to create a cohort of role models to inspire young entrepreneurs across the globe. The winners were announced during Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW), contributing to a worldwide celebration of entrepreneurship and innovation.

We’re delighted to welcome Ehab Sayed to our alumni network!
As the latest winner our of Smarter Future Award, Ehab has won £5,000 to further develop his start-up, Biohm Ltd.
Biohm aims to create a healthier and more sustainable environment with their bio-based construction materials.
Find out more about June’s Smarter Future Award winner: https://go.shell.com/2OOPFFB

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As the global population continues to rise the way we source and produce food will dramatically change. In our latest blog, Innovate UK highlights the opportunities this creates for entrepreneurs and innovators with game-changing ideas, such as Shell LiveWIRE alumni LettUs Grow and Phytophics who are already disrupting this sector!
Head to our website to read the full article: https://go.shell.com/2Avs3D4

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We recently sat down with Douglas to find out more about his start-up, plans for the future and what advice he has for entrepreneurs!
Find out more in our latest Featured Business of the Month interview: https://go.shell.com/2LK3Fia